PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTION AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PRE AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ADDIS ABABA CITY,ETHIOPIA,2018

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Intestinal Parasitic Infection (IPI) is one of the major health problems globally and up to 3.5 billion people are infected and around 450 million people are ill due to intestinal parasites. IPIs are responsible for high levels of morbidity including malnutrition. This study was conducted to Assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their association with Nutritional Status of Pre and Primary school children found in Addis Ababa Region. Methods: A cross sectional study design was employed. A total of 480 children aged 3 to 12 years were participated from November to December, 2017. Data was collected using standardised questionnaire, stool examination and anthropometric measurements. Stool examinations for parasitic protozoa and helminths were carried out. Logistic regression was done to evaluate the association between nutritional status and parasitic infections. EpiInfo 7 for data entry and SPSS 21 was used for analyse. Results: Six percent of the participants were found to have a helminthic infection, while 10.34%were found to have a protozoan infection. Approximately 17.6% of the students were stunted, 5.3% were wasted, and 7.6% were underweight. Hand nail hygiene (AOR: 0.016; 95%CI (0.005-0.050); P<0.001), cut Nail periodically (AOR: 0.076; 95%CI (0.027-0.213), Household income < 1500(AOR: 11.31; 95%CI (4.322-29.624), adequate knowledge about IP (AOR: 0.028; 95%CI (0.009-0.086) and Mother Education (AOR: 0.146; 95%CI (0.067-0.317). Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections and Malnutrition were prevalent and important health problem among Preschool and primary school children of Addis Ababa region. E.A. Histolytic and H. Nana were the most frequently Encountered parasites. Encourage Mother education, House hold income generation activity ,Initiatives aimed at improving personal hygiene of student by providing WASH facilities and to keep short their nail every time. Access to health education on IPIs issues, practices to prevent the spread of parasitic diseases. Initiatives aimed at improving the nutritional status of school children are also needed Key words: intestinal parasitic infection; protozoan infection; nutritional status; School Children Words count: 300